What Kind of Test Do They Give You to Know You Have Malaria?

Parasites: Types, Symptoms, Tests, and Handling

Past Dr. Todd Watts
·
sixteen Oct 19

Parasites: Types, Symptoms, Tests, and Treatment

How much do you know well-nigh parasites? The average person doesn't know a whole lot most these harmful and largely unseen critters. Merely if you take a complex chronic illness or just want to exist healthier overall, yous need to learn well-nigh these pathogens.

Nearly conventional physicians and healthcare professionals in the Us aren't aware of how widespread parasitic infections are. They might fifty-fifty tell you that your thought of being infected with parasites is "all in your head." ( one , 2 )

Well-pregnant but poorly-informed doctors may lead you lot astray. Truly, you lot aren't suffering from a"parasitic delusion disorder." Parasites are quite likely contributing to your health problems.

Parasites are much more mutual in developed countries than most people realize. For example, it'south estimated that more than 12% of Americans carry Toxoplasma gondii . That'south a microscopic parasite you might become from your true cat. ( ii )

Ignoring parasites won't brand them get away. And the increasingly toxic surroundings — from pollution and other environmental toxicity — could worsen a parasite problem. Toxins tin can weaken your trunk'southward defenses and change parasite activeness. ( three )

Parasites tin can trigger a broad range of health bug. In some cases, they may be the real culprit behind chronic problems like irritable bowel syndrome and some autoimmune diseases. ( 4 , 5 )

Consider this your primer on all things parasites. Discover out exactly what they are, different types, and mutual symptoms. Plus, learn how they're diagnosed and how to eliminate them naturally.

What Is a Parasite?

Parasites are pathogens that live on or inside other organisms. They can crusade significant damage. Their livelihood is generally at the expense of their host, equally they depend on their host for nourishment. ( half-dozen )

These critters tin range in size. Some are microscopic, such as Toxoplasma gondii and giardia . Other parasites tin hands exist seen past the naked centre. An developed tapeworm, for case, can reach a length of more than 49 feet (15 meters). ( 7 )

Some microscopic parasites live within your cells, such as red claret cells or fatty cells. Larger critters — like parasitic worms — are more likely to live in the spaces between your cells. Parasites can invade your muscles, lymph, brain, gut, lungs, liver, and other organs and tissues. ( eight , 9 , 10 )

Likewise, parasites can obstruct parts of your organs and disrupt their function. For instance, some worms can block the valves between your intestines or clog your bile ducts. No wonder they commonly mess up your digestive system, equally you'll run into in the side by side section. ( eleven , 12 , 13 )

How do parasites get away with all this?

The critters use diverse tactics to evade and manipulate your immune system. For instance, single-celled parasites can change the proteins on their surface, and then your immune cells don't recognize them. ( 13 , 14 , 15 )

And some parasites alter their form — such as irresolute into a protective cyst to evade your immune system. ( 16 , 17 , 18 )

Y'all need to be smarter than the parasites if y'all want to kicking them out and reclaim your health. Gaining the upper hand starts with knowing the symptoms of parasitic infections.

What Are the Symptoms of Having a Parasite?

The symptoms of parasitic infections vary with specific critters. Just many symptoms are vague and can happen for several reasons. And so, they may be incorrectly attributed to other diseases.

For example, many parasites infect your gut, leading to a range of digestive symptoms. And so yous may be misdiagnosed as having irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease. In reality, parasites could be at the root of your gut distress. ( 19 )

So, proceed an open up mind well-nigh your symptoms. Consider — could they be due to parasites that conventional doctors have overlooked?

Some of the signs and symptoms linked with parasite infections are: ( 5 , ten , 20 , 21 , 22 , 23 )

Abdominal pain or discomfort
Air hunger
Allergies
Anemia
Anxiety
Arthritis
Autoimmune illness
Bed-wetting (kids)
Float inflammation
Bloating
Chronic fatigue
Constipation
Diarrhea
Eye inflammation
Fever
Flu-like symptoms
Food sensitivities
Gallbladder and bile duct illness
Gassiness
Hashimoto'due south thyroiditis
Headaches
Insomnia
Itching effectually your anus
Leaky gut
Depression claret sugar
Muscle and joint pain
Nausea
Nutritional deficiencies
Seizures
Pare rashes and sores
Teeth grinding
Vomiting
Weak immunity
Weight loss

Parasites tend to be more than active at night. That can cause a spike in symptoms when y'all're trying to sleep. Still, symptoms may strike at whatever time of mean solar day, and some are ongoing. ( 24 )

As well, realize that symptoms of parasite infections aren't necessarily immediate. Some new infections may cause digestive upset within a day. But others may non produce noticeable symptoms for longer periods, similar a few weeks. Some parasitic infections drag on for years. ( 25 )

In addition, go along in listen that parasites are like a Trojan horse. They may harbor other pathogens, such as the Lyme leaner and mold spores. Those can contribute to your symptoms as well. That tin make getting to the root of the problem tricky. ( 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 )

What Are the Different Types of Parasites?

Parasites that infect people fall into one of iii broad categories: protozoa, helminths, and ectoparasites.

Information technology'southward helpful to understand each type when you embark on a parasite cleanse. That style, you know what you might see coming out in your stools. You can see some parasites with the naked centre. Just many others are microscopic, like the protozoan giardia, shown greatly magnified to a higher place.

Also, it'south adept to be familiar with the scientific names of mutual parasites. That'due south useful if you do whatsoever testing or want to expect up the symptoms of specific critters. You'll detect many examples beneath.

As you lot look at parasite names, y'all'll run across words like Giardia lamblia. The genus (giardia) is the first discussion in the parasite proper noun. The 2nd word (lamblia) is the species.

Sometimes people refer to parasites past only part of their scientific proper name. And sometimes the genus is abbreviated with the first initial, such as T. gondii. That's the same matter every bit Toxoplasma gondii.

Don't worry. There won't be a quiz at the end of this blog. But it could be a helpful reference for y'all in the hereafter. Bookmark it.

Protozoan parasites

Yous'd demand a microscope to run into these single-celled parasites. Just don't dismiss protozoan parasites due to their small size. They tin can wreak havoc in your body and create serious wellness issues. ( six )

Examples of protozoan parasites that infect people and some symptoms are: ( 9 , 22 , 25 )

Babesia microti: A Lyme coinfection that can cause flu-similar symptoms and anemia
Blastocystis hominis: A crusade of leaky gut, which can atomic number 82 to food sensitivities
Cyclospora cayetanensis: Tin result in explosive bowel movements and diarrhea
Cryptosporidium parvum: Causes watery diarrhea and other digestive upset
Dientamoeba fragilis: Causes diarrhea, abdominal pain, and appetite loss
Entamoeba histolytica: Triggers stomach hurting and loose stools, which may be encarmine
Giardia lamblia: Causes diarrhea, greasy stools that bladder, and upset stomach
Leishmania tropica: Leads to skin sores, which may start equally bumps
Plasmodium falciparum: Causes malaria, characterized by influenza-like symptoms
Toxoplasma gondii: Sparks mild flu-like symptoms and enlarged lymph nodes
Trichomonas vaginalis: Triggers burning and itching of your reproductive organs
Trypanosoma cruzi: May lead to enlarged spleen and liver, plus abnormal heart rhythms

Specific parasites tend to infect certain types of cells. For instance, p lasmodium infects your red blood cells, and b lastocystis infects your intestinal cells. Just t oxoplasma infects a broad range of different cells. Your symptoms could vary based on what cells the parasites infect. ( thirty , 31 , 32 )

Helminths

Helminth is the general term for a parasitic worm. Different protozoan parasites, you can see many helminths with the naked centre. ( 6 )

For example, some Ascaris lumbricoides worms are upwardly to 12 inches (35 centimeters) in length. Just pinworms are merely the size of a staple and white, so you lot might miss them if you're not looking closely. ( six )

Like to protozoans, dissimilar helminths gravitate toward specific areas of your body. That'southward why they affect the performance of particular organs and systems. ( ix )

The two primary groups of helminths that infect people are roundworms and flatworms. Up next is a closer await at those.

Roundworms

These parasitic worms are also known as nematodes. They could infect diverse areas of your body, including your skin, lungs, liver, intestines, and tissues — such as your muscles. ( vi , 33 )

Some subtypes within the roundworm category are hookworms and pinworms. Hookworms get their name from the claw-like bend of their head. Pinworms are and so-named due to the females' pivot-like tail. ( 25 , 34 , 35 )

Examples of mutual nematodes and some of their effects include: ( ix , 25 )

Ancylostoma duodenale: A hookworm that infects your gut and causes anemia
Ascaris lumbricoides: A common abdominal roundworm that causes intestinal discomfort
Enterobius vermicularis: A pinworm that infects your colon and makes your anus itch
Necator americanus: A hookworm that infects your gut and causes anemia
Strongyloides stercoralis:A nematode that infects your gut, with reinfection possible with each new batch of larvae
Trichinella spiralis: A nematode that can cause breadbasket upset and infect your muscles, causing pain
Trichuris trichiura: A whipworm that causes painful, bloody diarrhea

Flatworms

Within the flatworm category, two common subtypes are flukes and tapeworms. Every bit you might judge from the name, both have flattened bodies. But their shapes are pretty unlike from each other. ( 6 )

Flukes have a foliage-like shape. These critters may invade your blood, intestines, lungs, and liver. Flukes that infect your liver can damage your bile ducts. ( 36 , 37 )

Tapeworms take ribbon-l ike bodies that are segmented. They most ordinarily infect your modest intestine and can crusade nausea and weight loss. They may also migrate to your gallbladder and block the common bile duct. ( 7 )

Examples of flukes and tapeworms are: ( ix , 25 , 38 )

Schistosoma mansoni: A blood fluke that hides in your intestines and steals your nutrients

Clonorchis sinensis: A l iver fluke that you lot may get from eating raw fish
Taenia solium: A long tapeworm that you may get from eating undercooked pork
Taeniarhynchus saginata: A long tapeworm that you may get from undercooked beef

Ectoparasites

Ectoparasites are bugs that attach to your skin to feed on your claret or skin tissue. A few kinds fifty-fifty burrow under your skin. They may trigger itching. Ectoparasites are very common. ( 6 , 39 )

Some familiar examples of ectoparasites are: ( 39 , 40 )

Bed bugs
Fleas
Flies
Lice
Mites (including chiggers and scabies)
Mosquitoes
Ticks

Some ectoparasites (such every bit bed bugs) simply visit y'all temporarily to get their blood meal. Others (similar lice) don't leave until you m ake efforts to become rid of them.

More than significant than what these bugs take from y'all is what they give in return. Some ectoparasites non only feed on you, but many are too vectors that carry other pathogens. They can transmit infectious microbes to you every bit they feast. ( 6 , 39 )

For example, ectoparasites can give you pathogens like Borrelia burgdorferi bacteria (which cause Lyme disease), and Plasmodium falciparum parasites (which cause malaria). Some tin as well transmit Lyme coinfections , including b abesia and b artonella . ( 39 )

How Does a Person Become a Parasite?

Parasites are sneaky and tin can be lurking simply near anywhere —in water, food, pets, soil, other people, and surfaces you may touch.

You lot may contract parasites from contaminated or infected:

Food: As mentioned to a higher place, undercooked meat and seafood tin can be sources of parasites. Raw food, including fruits and veggies, can also be tainted with parasites. If you're uncertain how your produce was handled, clean it with grapefruit seed extract diluted in h2o. It's effective against many microscopic parasites and other pathogens. ( 41 , 42 , 43 )
Water: This includes water you lot drink — even some municipal h2o . You may also encounter parasites similar chiliad iardia in h2o handled by an infected restaurant worker with unclean hands. And you could contract parasites like c ryptosporidium if you swim in contaminated lakes, streams, and pond pools. ( 44 , 45 , 46 )
Soil: Yous can pick upward parasites from the soil, such equally past walking barefoot outside. Ascaris , hookworm, and whipworm unremarkably contaminate the soil and may linger for years. Clothing shoes when walking in questionable areas, including where animals poop. ( 47 )
Pets: Furry friends can give you parasites, particularly if veterinary care is disregarded. For example, you could get a T. gondii infection from handling contaminated kitty litter. And launder your easily well subsequently touching pets. Parasite eggs tin can stick in their fur. ( 48 , 49 , fifty )
Blood transfusions: Before you donate blood, yous may be asked if yous've had certain claret-borne parasites similar b abesia . Simply some people don't even know they're infected. And labs only test for certain parasites in claret donations. ( 48 )
Surfaces: Toys, bedding, door handles, and other objects can be tainted with parasites, particularly tiny pinworm eggs. These eggs can also go airborne. They can linger on objects and in the air for a few weeks. And you can breathe them in. ( 51 )
Toilets: Pinworms tin stick to toilet seats and can contaminate other objects in the restroom. If you must sit on a public toilet seat, create a bulwark first. Some restrooms supply newspaper liners for seats, but you can besides employ toilet paper. ( 52 )
Other people: If someone is infected and doesn't wash their easily well later using the restroom, they could pass parasites to y'all. Also, a n infected female parent can transmit sure parasites to her unborn child. And some parasites are transmitted sexually, including T. vaginalis . ( 53 , 54 , 55 )

Keep in mind, some people conduct parasites and don't know they're infected. Merely they may still transmit them to you lot. If y'all take a weakened immune system — such as from other chronic infections similar Lyme disease — you're at higher adventure of contracting parasites. ( 56 )

Heavy metallic toxicity could also make you decumbent to parasite infections. Heavy metals can weaken your allowed system. On top of that, parasites tend to accumulate heavy metals. These can exist released when y'all kill the critters. Then, exist prepare to combat this as part of parasite die-off symptoms . ( 57 , 58 )

Given your odds of picking up parasites, should you rush to exam yourself for them? Larn the pros and cons of testing next.

How Are Parasites Diagnosed?

Information technology might be easy for parasites to find you, but information technology's not as piece of cake to detect them. They do their best to avert detection.

There are a few different tests that may assistance check whether you have parasites. But they're far from 100% accurate. That includes standard stool and blood tests, as well every bit looking inside your gut with special equipment.

Stool and blood tests

Yous tin can submit stool samples to a lab to check if you have intestinal parasites or their eggs (ova). These are called ova and parasite (O&P) tests. A lab technician can utilise special stains to assistance detect parasites when viewing your samples under a microscope. ( 59 )

It's best to provide at least three different stool samples from divide days to reduce the risk of missing parasites. Still, it's easy for labs to overlook parasites. And the critters simply may not exist in the tiny $.25 of stool that the lab analyzes from the larger samples you submit. ( 60 )

Another way to check for parasites is through blood tests. Merely there isn't such a matter as a blood test that checks for every type of parasite. Instead, the tests are used to bank check for a few specific types of parasites that the doctor suspects y'all might have. ( 60 )

The blood tests are designed to place parasites by checking for:

Antibodies: When you're infected with a parasite, your immune system makes specific antibodies to fight them. Claret tests can be used to check for antibodies to a small number of parasites. There aren't tests for every kind,though. (60 )

Visible parasites: Lab staff may expect directly at a especially stained blood smear under a microscope. They're looking for parasites that reside in the blood. For example, p lasmodium (the malaria parasite) and b abesia may be found in a blood smear test. ( 61 , 62 )

Imaging and other tests

Imaging tests such as Ten-rays, MRI scans, and Cat scans may pick up signs of parasites in your body tissues. The doctor may be looking for something else but could detect parasites in the procedure.

For case, a swollen liver and spleen could suggest you're infected with p lasmodium . And these scans could show large a scaris worms in your gut. ( sixty , 63 )

Another type of test that may reveal parasites is an endoscopy. It involves sending a tiny camera through your digestive tract. It may be used to look for parasites, though information technology would exist an invasive and expensive style to do so. ( 64 )

A newer form of testing tin look for parasites' Dna, such equally in your blood or stool. This can be compared with databases of known parasites. Non all parasites tin can be tested in this way, as the Deoxyribonucleic acid of some parasites hasn't been analyzed. ( 65 )

With all these different testing methods, you'd think checking for parasites would be straightforward. Unfortunately, that'southward not the case.

How accurate is parasite testing?

Typical parasite testing is woefully inadequate. Several factors contribute to the likelihood of parasite tests being inaccurate.

Some reasons why your parasite tests might turn upward empty despite having an infection are:(59, 66, 67, 68, 69, lxx)

Insufficient training: Is the technician who's looking at your stool or blood sample highly trained and experienced? The number of truly qualified people to perform these tests is dwindling while the demand is going up.
Shortage of time: Medical labs are often very busy with many tests to complete. If a technician is underqualified and rushed, the take a chance for errors increases.
Improper storage: If your specimen isn't handled correctly, you're unlikely to get an accurate issue. To observe certain parasites in their active stage, your stool sample must exist examined within 30–lx minutes afterwards passing it or exist put into a preservative. Otherwise, the parasite will disintegrate before it's found.
Rapid DNA destruction: Though genetic tests are available to observe parasites in your samples, parasites can destroy their DNA when they die. For instance, leishmania chop-chop degrades its DNA in well-nigh any death situation. If a sample isn't accordingly preserved and transported quickly, the test results could be invalid. Samples don't necessarily reflect all of the critters inside you lot. Some parasites simply may non be making an exit when you exam. For case, they could be hiding in your gut or tissues.
Insufficient availability: The right tests or equipment may not be bachelor to y'all. And due to inadequate parasite training for doctors, they may not even know the best tests for you. On acme of that, your insurance may not cover the tests.

Functional medicine parasite experts concord there'southward 1 foolproof test for detecting parasites. Take your first two fingers and place them on your other wrist. If y'all have a pulse, you likely have parasites.

How Do Yous Treat Parasites Naturally?

The proficient news is that y'all can exercise things to purge parasites, regardless of whether you have an "official" diagnosis. Plus, these strategies could back up your wellness in other ways.

Keep reading to find out what you can do to eliminate parasites naturally, including using dietary support and lifestyle strategies.

Support drainage

Earlier you start a parasite cleanse, make sure toxins are moving out of your body. You don't want debris from the critters sticking effectually in your gut, liver, and kidneys. Expelling toxins requires good drainage.

Some parasites deadening the movement of your gut contents — creating constipation. That prevents them from being swept out in your stools. Clever, right? Simply it creates a buildup of toxins for you lot. That tin increase your symptoms.

Get your colon moving regularly with certain herbs . The goal is to poop two or three times a solar day during detox.

Likewise, make certain your kidneys and liver are draining well before getting deep into a parasite cleanse.

Your liver has to process parasites' toxins so you tin can become rid of them via your bile. But, some parasitic worms block your bile ducts, which interferes with toxin emptying. ( 11 , 12 , 71 )

Coffee enemas could also assistance you release toxin-laden bile.

Several herbs can back up liver and kidney office . That gives these organs a helping paw with their clean- upwardly and drainage efforts.

Go rid of parasites with herbs

Send parasites a articulate bulletin that you aren't the gracious host they were anticipating. Taking natural anti-parasitic herbs could send them packing in a hurry.

Merely don't let the parasites get too comfy. Periodically change your herb routine to catch them off guard.

Be prepared for what you might run across — or might not see — during your parasite cleanse. Many people see parasitic worms and rubbery strands of rope worm during a cleanse. But you tin can't come across the majority of parasites without a microscope. So, you may non encounter anything in your stools. That doesn't mean what you're doing isn't working.

Clean up and repair with binders

Binders are a multipurpose back up that can aid yous in a parasite cleanse.

A folder is similar an farthermost makeover crew — internal edition. They can latch onto parasite toxins and heavy metals so you tin can eliminate them in your stools. They can also provide additional support for your torso subsequently parasites' "late-night parties" and other escapades.

Live a healthy lifestyle

Guests volition stay longer when they feel welcome to do then. Parasites are a "give them an inch, and they'll have a mile" kind of houseguest. Make sure the welcome mat is not out for them.

Parasites dear sugar. This refined carb is lurking in places you'd least expect, like condiments, flavored instant oatmeal, and diet bars. Sugar is definitely on the list of what non to eat when you take a parasite .

Instead, y'all should reach for salubrious foods similar grass-fed meat, whole fruits and vegetables, basics, and seeds. You'll non only be kicking out parasitic freeloaders, simply you will too be giving your torso what it needs to heal.

Staying hydrated with good, clean water is too essential , as it helps you lot avoid constipation. If you don't take in enough fluids, toxins are more likely to get backed upwards in your colon.

Another part of a healthy lifestyle is regular physical activity. Moving your body — even in elementary ways like walking — helps drain your lymphatic system . That's some other identify toxins can get backed up, which can lead to symptoms like ankle swelling and puffy optics during detox.

Lastly, be ready for potential emotional symptoms as you kill off parasites. For example, you could feel down, anxious, or irritable . But natural healing and a positive mindset will assist.

Guard Yourself

Recollect, parasitic infections are far more prevalent than y'all think, even in developed countries. Just standard tests are unreliable and often don't reveal that you have them.

These parasites range from microscopic, unmarried-celled creatures to large worms, visible to the naked eye. No matter their size, they can wreck your health.

Parasites could be the root cause of many of your chronic wellness issues . Gut problems, food sensitivities, and autoimmune issues may all be traced back to parasites. Tackling the critters could be an essential office of your healing journey.

Certain herbs can assistance you get rid of the critters naturally. Supporting drainage and detoxification is essential in this attempt. And binders exercise double duty every bit both a clean- up and repair crew.

Which of your chronic health bug exercise y'all think parasites might exist triggering? What strategies are y'all going to apply to fight back?

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